A 16-year-old Ridgefield girl was killed early in the morning of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 in a one-car crash on Keeler Drive.

A 16-year-old Ridgefield girl was killed early in the morning of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 in a one-car crash on Keeler Drive.

Photo: Libor Jany

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A 16-year-old Ridgefield girl was killed early in the morning of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 in a one-car crash on Keeler Drive.

A 16-year-old Ridgefield girl was killed early in the morning of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 in a one-car crash on Keeler Drive.

Photo: Libor Jany

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Keeler Drive in Brookfield, Conn. was closed in the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2011 because of a crash that killed a 16-year-old girl.

Keeler Drive in Brookfield, Conn. was closed in the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2011 because of a crash that killed a 16-year-old girl.

Photo: Libor Jany

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A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

Photo: Libor Jany

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A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

Photo: Libor Jany

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A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

Photo: Libor Jany

Image 8 of 10

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

Photo: Libor Jany

Image 9 of 10

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

A 16-year-old girl was killed Thursday morning, August 3, 2011, in a single-vehicle crash on Keeler Drive in Ridgefield.

Photo: Carol Kaliff

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Girl killed in Ridgefield accident was cheerleader, athlete

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RIDGEFIELD -- Jacqueline "JJ" Brice, the 16-year-old Ridgefield girl who died when her car hit a tree on Keeler Drive early Thursday, was recalled by her coaches as a talented cheerleader and lacrosse player who was well-liked by her teammates.

The Ridgefield High School student, who had recently completed her sophomore year, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 3:55 a.m. crash.

"I just left the girls, and they were all devastated by this," Ridgefield High School cheerleading coach Deborah Sfondrini said after a meeting with her squad Thursday evening. "She was a wonderful girl, and we truly loved her."

Ridgefield Police Department spokesman Capt. Daniel Ryan said the 2008 Land Rover driven by Brice was headed East on Keeler Road when it crossed into the opposite lane on a slight curve, ran off the road and hit a tree. The vehicle was left almost unrecognizable by the impact.

Brice was the sole occupant, and speed was definitely a factor, Ryan said, but members of the department's fatal accident investigation team had not yet determined how fast she was going.

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Investigators were trying to determine where Brice had been and what she was doing on the road in the early morning hours, Ryan said, since state law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. under most circumstances. The exceptions are for work, school, religious activities or medical reasons.

"With this type of horrific crash, there needs to be extensive investigative work done," Ryan said.

Part of the investigation will include toxicology tests, which typically take several weeks to complete.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Fire Chief Heather Burford were among those who responded to the scene.

"It's a terrible tragedy to lose someone at such a young age, and I hope that (the family) somehow, some way, will work their way through this," Marconi said.

"This is so saddening. My heart goes out to her family and friends," said high school girls lacrosse coach Michelle Ralph. "She was a beautiful girl and a very talented lacrosse player."

Although Brice played on the high school team as a freshman and attended Ralph's summer camp last year, she was not a member of the squad this past year. Brice was a cheerleader last year, but hadn't signed up to be a member of the squad in the fall, Sfondrini said.

"She was very well liked by all the girls," Sfondrini said. "We're trying to put things together for the family. Every day, a group of girls will be bringing them meals."

Brice was the daughter of John T. and Lorraine Brice, and is also survived by two brothers, Michael and Christopher.

Calling hours will be held at the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 520 Ridgebury Road.